"Perfection is the standard."
These were the first words I heard from my superiors. Unlike the glamorous stories that others told about supervising colonies, the reality was far more complex. Being a colony supervisor was not as desirable as many gems believed; it involved dealing with an endless series of problems and mistakes. Perfection was not just an expectation; it was an absolute requirement.
When I was assigned to my first supervisory position, it felt like a leap into the void. I was in charge of a colony that had already proven successful in resource collection from various planets. This colony had established a solid reputation for its efficiency and effectiveness in resource management, making it a key player in our network of colonies. However, the reality of my role was much more challenging than I had imagined.
Despite its success, the colony faced numerous internal problems. The difficulties were not always evident in superficial reports. They were hidden in the details: from minor system failures to coordination errors that, when accumulated, could lead to a crisis. My task was to ensure that each of these problems was resolved without leaving any room for error. The pressure was constant, and the expectations were relentless.
I conducted a thorough review of all procedures and systems in use. Every component, every protocol had to be meticulously analyzed. It was a laborious and detailed process.I implemented various strategies to adapt to new conditions and optimized our collection methods. I introduced an advanced monitoring system that allowed us to detect and correct issues before they became crises. Each adjustment was a crucial piece in the puzzle of maintaining perfection in our operations.
As I implemented these improvements, the situation began to stabilize. Problems were addressed one by one, and the colony regained its efficiency. The experience taught me that perfection in supervision is not just about avoiding mistakes but about anticipating and preventing problems before they arise. The ability to maintain stability in a changing environment was essential for long-term success.
It was thanks to this success that I was given the opportunity to manage my own ship. However, there was a small problem that soon became evident.
"Why do I have so few resources?" I asked, frustrated.
I had been assigned a ship with limited resources and a small team of gems. I was informed that this approach was because they considered me competent enough to handle resource collection from several planets with the available resources. The logic behind this decision was that, given my track record of success in optimizing operations, I should be able to overcome resource limitations and still meet established expectations.
The challenge was considerable. The ship, though advanced in technology, had operational constraints due to the limited resources and personnel. "They didn't even give me a Pearl; I have to handle all the review myself," I thought. The lack of support in terms of specialized personnel further complicated my task, as I had to address every aspect of the operation, from system supervision to resource management, without the backing of a higher-ranking gem or a technical specialist like a Pearl.
"I need more gems," I told myself. For now, I only had a team of Peridots to help pilot the ship, a battalion of Rubys, a squadron of Amethysts, and two Jaspers, which were a gift from the Emerald I had served.
It wasn't just a challenge to balance the ship's limited resources but also to deal with the complications that arose with each member of my team. The Peridots, while highly skilled, were overloaded with the tasks of piloting the ship and assisting in various technical functions. The Rubys, although brave and strong, required constant direction to avoid conflicts among themselves. The Amethysts, with their combat skills and free-spirited nature, often caused problems in resource management and in performing precise tasks.
I saw a message on my datapad; apparently, they had found a planet with exploitable resources. I was almost excited at the prospect of finding a planet with valuable resources in our current state. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.
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"AGAIN?!" I shouted in frustration, startling the Peridot in front of me. My exasperation was palpable. The situation was out of control, and my patience was wearing thin.
It seemed that the Jaspers were both a blessing and a curse. In combat, they were perfect, fighting together with incredible synchronization. Their ability to coordinate on the battlefield was impeccable, and their complementary skills became almost unbeatable when working together. Each battle we faced was a testament to their skill and prowess. However, outside of combat, the situation was very different.
The Jaspers, with their impressive strength and capability, had difficulty adjusting to more delicate and precise work environments. Training areas had become makeshift battlefields, with equipment destruction and environmental disruption resulting from their lack of control.
"This has been happening for over 5000 years," I reflected bitterly. I wondered if it would be a drastic but perhaps necessary solution to consider getting rid of the Jaspers. "I wonder if I should throw them into the void of space. No one would question me," I thought with irony. The chaos they were causing was reaching a critical point.
In the midst of my frustration, I heard a sound on the communicator. It was the Peridot, visibly nervous. "For your own safety, I hope you didn't come just to tell me this," I said, trying to keep calm while grappling with the avalanche of challenges.
"N-no, my Zircón, we found a planet with the resources needed for the emergence of more Peridots," the Peridot stammered. Her words made me stop in my tracks. A glimmer of hope emerged amid my frustration. This discovery could change everything.
"Perfect," I replied, my voice now filled with determination. "Prepare the injectors immediately and make sure the training modules are ready for use. We need to assess this planet right away."
The Peridot quickly nodded and went off to coordinate the preparations. Meanwhile, I headed to my control station to review the details of the planet they had just found. The possibility of obtaining resources for more Peridots meant that I could count on additional personnel to tackle the challenges we faced. This could significantly ease the workload and improve our operational capabilities.
I reviewed the reports and data about the planet. Preliminary information indicated that the planet had the resources necessary for creating Peridots, which could not only increase our personnel but also improve the overall efficiency of our operation. The possibility of producing more Peridots meant that I could rely on additional gems for system management, technical supervision, and resource management.
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Everything seemed to be working quite well. The newly emerged Peridots quickly adapted to their new roles, allowing us to distribute tasks more effectively. The improvement in efficiency was evident, and operations were beginning to stabilize. The ship felt more organized, and problems were being resolved more smoothly, except for an inconvenience with the training platform that the team was addressing.
However, my tranquility was interrupted by an important report sent by two Peridots. Opening the file, a wave of frustration washed over me. "Oh no, not this again," I exclaimed as I scanned the contents of the report. Despite having basic knowledge of technology, the level of detail and complexity described far exceeded my understanding. Technical reports from motivated Peridots could be exhaustive and often overwhelming for someone not fully immersed in the field.
The report contained data on a new project that the Peridots were developing. Although I could identify the functions and components, the technical explanation and implications of their improvements were too complex to interpret without a practical demonstration. I needed to understand how these new functions integrated and how they could affect the overall operation.
"I need a demonstration" I thought. The best way to address this was to call in the responsible Peridots and get a direct explanation. "Peridot Facet-4J2T Cut-6XL and Peridot Facet-4K5T Cut-3XG, come to my office immediately," I sent the message. It was a necessary step. While I could review the technical details in the report, the practical demonstration of their skills and the impact of their developments were crucial to fully understanding what they were presenting.
As I waited for the Peridots to arrive, I reviewed the report again, trying to grasp any detail that could facilitate the conversation. The figures and descriptions were overwhelming, but I was determined to gain a clearer understanding.
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The prototype was truly impressive, considering it had been developed by two newly emerged Peridots. They had managed to implement new technology that not only increased the effectiveness of Peridots in our colony but had the potential to impact all Peridots created up to that point.
From the moment I saw the prototypes in action, I was ready to request the materials needed for this incredible project. If successful, even the Diamonds would take an interest in the benefits it could bring. However, there were aspects that concerned me.
"What you're proposing is certainly ambitious. The idea of enhancing a Peridot's natural abilities is interesting." I commented, observing how their expressions shifted from hope to concern. "However, apart from these prototypes, you're newly emerged and don't have much else to demonstrate that this project is viable in the first place."
I could see the panic in their eyes, and I smiled internally.
"It's clear that you've thought of every detail," I added, my tone becoming slightly more relaxed. "However, I want to see tangible results before committing more resources. I will allow you to obtain the necessary materials, but if you cannot make progress with this batch, you can forget about making any further requests."
I knew that a bit of pressure and urgency would motivate them to improve. It wasn't enough that they presented a promising idea; they needed to demonstrate that they could execute it effectively.
"If you have nothing else to address, you may leave," I added absently, turning my attention to other matters.
I saw them prepare to leave, but then they suddenly stopped.
"Actually, my Zircon..." 6XL began, hesitating a little.
"Mm?" I responded, wondering what else they could add. They had already said everything I needed to know.
"I've noticed several complaints from different Gems about the training platform…"
"Request denied," I interrupted immediately, anticipating where the conversation was headed. If those Jaspers had broken the platform again...
"Huh?" The confusion in her voice was palpable.
" Too high costs. Not worth it.," I replied firmly.
"B-but..." 6XL stammered, clearly surprised by my swift decision.
I sighed. This wasn't the first time this had happened, and it probably wouldn't be the last.
"Alright, I'll discuss it with 3XG. You leave." I said, concluding the conversation. I watched as her face went through several emotions, from mortification to concern for her colleague. Finally, she said goodbye and closed the door behind her.
I turned to 3XG, assessing how to proceed. I decided to change the subject, trying to steer the conversation to more positive ground. "Your idea is well-implemented. If you manage to replicate it successfully, it will be a significant achievement in your lives."
To my surprise, 3XG responded with modesty, "It wasn't my idea."
"Excuse me?" I asked, a bit confused.
"The invention was 6XL's idea. I just helped with the process."
"Why are you telling me this?" I pressed, wanting to understand her reasoning.
"Because I don't feel I contributed enough. She was the one who had the idea, who thought through the whole process. Eventually, she could have made the prototypes on her own. All I did was shorten the time a bit."
She paused for a moment before continuing, her voice filled with sincerity. "I don't want to use her achievements; I don't want to be recognized for something I didn't conceive. I don't want to take advantage of her. I want to come up with my own idea to feel worthy of standing beside her."
I paused, reflecting on her words. "The fact that you helped 6XL, even though it wasn't your original idea, doesn't diminish your contribution. Sometimes, implementation and collaboration are just as important as the idea itself. However, if you feel this doesn't reflect your true capability and value, I'm sure you'll find a way to demonstrate your own originality and creativity."
"Thank you, my Zircon," 3XG replied with a look of relief.
"You may leave," I said, ready to end the conversation.
"Actually, my Zircon..." 3XG started to say hesitantly.
"No," I interrupted, exasperated. "No, no, no, no, no..."
"I know it's not the right time," 3XG continued undeterred, "but I'd like to know about the request for the training platform."
"Stars!" I exclaimed in frustration, feeling the weight of the situation building up.
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I apologize for keeping you waiting, but guess who forgot to pay the internet bill? Also feel free to share your opinions about Zircón.